Aziz Ansari doesn't want pictures of your baby. Screw that, he already knows how to walk. He also doesn't want to see the latest dick pic that you've received. He already knows there's no message. He will, however, take your money and applause. The actor and comedian, best known for his role as Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation, as well as his stand-up takes on pop culture, dating, and his cousin Darwish, is heading to the Valley for an evening of jokes and justifiable venting.
See also: New Times' Calendar of Events
Aziz Ansari comes to Phoenix, Friday, January 9, at Celebrity Theatre, 440 North 32nd Street. Showtimes are 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. To save your seats, visit www.celebritytheatre.com or azizansari.com. Katie Johnson
"Don't Lift Your Heroes Up So High"
Phoenix's art scene is certainly holding its own and after such a successful year we can't wait to see what 2015 has in store. Topping our list in time for the second Friday: Jonni Cheatwood's new solo show.
"Don't Lift Your Heroes Up So High" features the kind of eclectic combination one has come to expect from Cheatwood: personal photographs intersected with high-color, high-contrast paint and digital presentation. One might call it an identity crisis of sorts. Cheatwood calls it an exercise in creativity -- and it has become an undeniable presence in the downtown arts district.
This 2015 kick-off debuts the evening of Friday, January 9, at the recently renovated Palabra Hair and Art Collective, 630 East Pierce Street. The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.palabraphx.com or www.jonnicheatwood.com. Janessa Hilliard
Quick Spanish lesson: lucha libre, the form of professional wrestling that developed in Mexico, means free wrestling. The wrestlers are known as luchadores, and the decorative masks they wear are called máscaras. They sometimes compete in two-man tag team matches (parejas) or put their masks on the line against opponents in the rarely seen luchas de apuestas (matches with wagers). You'll get a chance to use all this vocab at Crescent Ballroom's live lucha libre wrestling event, which will feature eight wrestling matches and live music from a local DJ.
The muscles start flexing and the elbows start flying at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, January 10, at Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second Avenue in Phoenix. Tickets start at $10. Call 602-716-2222 or visit www.crescentphx.com for more. Zachary Fowle
The great thing about America is how well we take things from other countries and claim them our own. Just about all "American" food comes from overseas, the moon landing was made possible by German scientists, and every other member of our national soccer team was born somewhere else. This is why an auction of classic cars -- many of them foreign -- still feels American as hell.
If you're looking to feel patriotic (or just in the mood to scope out and maybe buy some classic cars) check out the Barrett-Jackson auction at WestWorld, 16601 North Pima Road, starting Saturday, January 10. The auction features an array of automobiles ranging from Jeeps to Jaguars.
The gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at www.barrett-jackson.com. Ed Kummerer
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You can dance if you want to and you're required to leave your pants behind during Improv AZ's No Pants Light Rail Ride Phoenix 2015. On Sunday, January 11, groups around the world will continue Improv Everywhere's 14-year tradition of dropping trou and hopping on their respective public transit, and Phoenix is once again joining in on this brief experience to bare, well, most of it in public. There are no ifs, ands, yet plenty of butts about it that Phoenix riders will be in for a cheeky surprise when hundreds of people showing off their knickers, drawers, and bloomers flood the light rail around 1 p.m. We have to warn, it might get chilly on the day, so don't forget your other articles of clothing. Keep an eye on the event's Facebook page for updates. Evie Carpenter
See also: No Pants Light Rail Ride: A Field Guide to Sunday's Event in Phoenix
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